BiSH - KiLLER BiSH review

This is what we've been waiting for! Punk idols BiSH have returned with their major label debut, and it's everything you could want from a BiSH album. KiLLER BiSH technically hasn't been "released" yet (physical is out in October!) but I was able to pick it up during the one-day digital sale, and it's been blowing me away ever since.

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KiLLER BiSH opens with a redone version of "DEADMAN", featuring Ayuni D in Hug Me's place. While I prefer the Hug Me version, it's still a solid punk song. Easily the most hardcore idol song I've ever heard! "First Kitchen Life" is another pummeling punk piece where speed is king.

The second single from KiLLER BiSH, "Orchestra", is one of the prettier songs they've done. Backed by a string orchestra (fittingly), it's a deeply emotional love ballad. The accompanying video is absolutely heartbreaking as well.

On KiLLER BiSH, BiSH is beginning to slip some metal into their punk formula. The best example of this is probably "Stairway to me", a massive metal piece in the vein of Stairway to Heaven. What starts off as another pretty ballad builds up to a noisy instrumental breakdown which would make BABYMETAL hang their heads in shame.

Another high point is "IDOL is SHiT", a tribute to BiS' own "IDOL". Where "IDOL" was a pretty wild song, even by BiS standards, "IDOL is SHiT" takes that notion up a few hundred notches with a perfect contrast between catchy hooks and thickly distorted screams, heavy guitar feedback, and digital hardcore breakdowns. Now all we can hope for is an MV mirroring the original BiS track!

My personal favorite song on the album is "summertime", a cute pop punk piece in the style of Western bands like Weezer. The lyrics, written by BiSH's own Momoko Gumi Company, are completely in English. While the style isn't really anything new for BiSH, it's a super catchy song, and just... very cute. The chorus is the catchiest thing BiSH has ever put out, by far. I'll defend this song to the death, seeing as it's a bit of a point of contention for other fans.

KiLLER BiSH has some of BiSH's heaviest songs ("IDOL is SHiT", "Am I FRENZY??", "Hey gate", etc...), as well as some of their prettiest and most heartfelt ("Orchestra", "Ikite te Yokatta Toyuu no Nara"). While a major label album means BiSH and company are less open to experimentation, they're still able to put together a fantastic album. As with their previous albums, this one isn't my favorite yet. It's gonna take a little getting used to, but there are some absolute gems on here. It's not perfect, but you'd be hard-pressed to find anybody who does this brand of metal-infused hardcore pop-punk better than BiSH. They've really come into their own, no longer living in the shadow of their predecessors. 

-Justin

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